Kongde Heli Trek

Flying into Kathmandu, you'll have views over the valley, the Himalaya, and the terraced fields below. After completing customs, a representative will be waiting to greet you outside the airport and to guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to your hotel.

We make an early start to take a spectacular, short mountain flight to Lukla, the start point for our trek. Watch out for the Langtang and Jugal ranges then the Rolwaling Himal, Gaurisankar and Menlumtse before getting your first glimpse of Everest on the flight. Our trekking crew meets us at the Lukla airstrip and we’ll spend a few minutes sorting out bags etc before setting off through this winding village to the trek start properly at the Khumbu ‘gateway’. It’s gently downhill on pitched stone trails through low rhododendron forest, small ‘garden’ farms and old and new hamlets to the banks of the foaming Dudh Koshi river. There will be plenty of shortstops to meet the locals, take photographs and just soak up the scenery and the clear mountain air as we meander along, the undulating trail glimpsing views of 6000m snow-capped peaks high above. Passing the enormous mani stone at Thado Kosi we meander up through the many chortens and prayer wheels of Sano and along to our destination of YMH Phakding in time for a late lunch. The afternoon is free to rest in the riverside gardens or sun lounge. For those who wish to, we’ll make a short trip up to the higher village and delightful tiny gompa perched on the valley side. Gather again for pre-dinner drinks around the fire followed by the evening meal.

After breakfast at the lodge, we trek to Namche following with the left bank of Dudh Koshi River. While following the level path along the right bank from the resort, Thamserku 6623m looms skyward on the opposite bank. After crossing a stream and climbing the terraced hill from the Dudh Koshi route, you arrive at Banker. Walking on the riverbed on the left bank, through a forest you arrive at Chumow where you can visit the Vegetable Farm. Walking along a path with many ups and downs, crossing a stream you pass by a small village located at 2840m gaining with 230m from Phakding named Monjo. You stop for lunch here. Then from Monjo, descending stone steps you come to a suspension bridge, and, after a short climb, you reach Jorshale. This is the entrance to the National Park, and you must wait here while your guide pays the entrance fees. Walking beside the river, you reach a forested mountainside and pass a rocky area. After crossing a high, winding path, you descend to the riverbed and reach a V-shaped valley. The river forks here: the right stream is the Dudh Koshi and the left is the Bhote Koshi that leads to Nangpa La. Crossing another suspension bridge and walking a short distance alongside the Bhote Koshi, you ascend to Tup Dhara where you will get the first view of Mount Everest. From here you ascend gradually up to Namche Bazaar (The Sherpa capital). Dinner at the evening is included.

Today we’ll take a gentle walk to gain a little height and then have the afternoon free to explore the shops and cafes of this delightful little town. Your guide will take you to a couple of wonderful viewpoints to see the ‘rockstars’ of the mountain world spread out before you: Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, Ama Dablam... they ring the deep valley sides in a magnificent arena. You should also be able to see the monastery at Tengboche and the trails to Everest. If you’re feeling energized we’ll continue on to the delightful villages of Khumjung and Kunde with their health post and school both started by the Sir Edmund Hilary Fund. After lunch you are free to head down to the Namche market to browse the shops, chat to the locals and maybe pick up a souvenir or two. You may also see the Tibetan traders who make a yearly journey over the high passes from the Tibetan plateau with their yaks laden with goods to sell at the markets. Late in the afternoon, there’s an option to visit Namche Monastery. The monastery is about 80 years old and has beautiful Thanka paintings of Tibetan deities. You are most welcome to burn a butter lamp for your loved ones. Dinner at the lodge.

After breakfast at Namche, begin your walk to Thame, which should take approximately 5 hours walk. You will pass through a beautiful pine forest and typically Sherpa homes. This trail forms part of the entry route to Tibet, which passes near the 8,012-metre peak of Cho Oyu, first climbed in 1954. It is also the historical route that the Sherpa’s migrated from eastern Tibet 800 years ago. A lunch stop is made at Thamo. It’s also the home Ang Rita Sherpa, who holds the record for scaling Mt Everest ten times without oxygen. After lunch, you ascend gradually up passing a monastery where nuns live and finally you come to the village of Samden. From here you descend down to the bridge and crossing Bhote Koshi River and a half an hour ascent up to reach Thame Village, where you stay at Yeti Mountain Home, your base for the next two nights. Dinner is included at the YMH this evening.

After breakfast at the lodge, take a half-hour walk up to Thame Monastery. This monastery is located in the Khumbu region, 200 meters above the village. It is set on the southern slope of Sumdur Mountain under a very high rocky cliff, noted for its rock formations, which are mentioned in five books on the history of the region. The monastery was built in the 14th century. From the monastery you trek back to the lodge, arriving in time for lunch. After lunch, you can also visit the home of two famous Sherpa’s One Tenzing Norgay and Appa Sherpa who has now climbed Mount Everest 20 times. Thame is one of the greatest village of Solu Khumbu where many young High altitudes climbing Sherpa’s have climbed Mount Everest at least 6 to 18 times ... Very beautiful village with very humble Everest summiteers ... Lunch and dinner are included at the lodge today.

After breakfast, you will walk around 6 hrs through beautiful rhododendron, pine, and bamboo forest. This route is the original Khumbu Sherpa route used before 1950 which we renovated later with the view of Khumbu mountain views. From Thame, you trek downhill 30 minutes to Khumbu Electric Power House, Another side of Bhote Koshi River. After 15 minutes walk you come across a typical small Sherpa village “PARE”. Walking through pine and bamboo forest you will arrive in the glacier of Kongde Mountain with the fantastic view of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Your lunch will be packed lunch served on the mid of the trail.You can enjoy the magnificent view of the Majestic Mountain along with the landscapes of Khumbu region. Your stay will be Yeti Mountain Home, kongde which is the lodge located at the highest altitude of the world.

After breakfast walk about 3 hrs to approximately 500m to Farak Ri with panoramic birds eye views of entire Khumbu Valley and view of 8000m peaks; Everest, Lhotse Makalu, Cho Oyu, Ama Dalam, Thamserku and many other Peaks of Khumbu Valley such as Cholatse, Island Peak, etc. Get back to the resort for lunch & dinner and you can enjoy the spellbinding panoramic view of Tengboche monastery, Namche and Khumjung village. One might have ever seen from many parts of the world, and the entire Solukhumbu Ranges from this part.

Early morning after your breakfast, you will be picked up by the helicopter for your heli tour flight. Enjoying aerial views of Everest [8,848 m], Ama Dablam [6856m], Thamserku [6608m] Kantega [6685m], Lhotse [8501m], Nuptse [7879m], you fly back to Kathmandu by Helicopter and transfer to the hotel.

It's time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café, a final stroll through the narrow alleys and temples, and some final souvenir shopping. A driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to the airport for your return flight home. It's best to be at the airport at least two hours prior to departure.